(WWJ) – The former police chief of a small West Michigan community is facing a long list of drug and misconduct charges stemming from her time in office.
Tressa Beltran, 57, retired as the Hartford Chief of Police earlier this year. Now she’s been charged with nine separate counts, all relating to her conduct as chief, Attorney General Dana Nessel announced Wednesday.
While working as the police chief, Beltran allegedly sold and stole controlled substances, used her influence to extort others to provide her with drugs, illegally possessed several different types of controlled substances, and committed embezzlement.
The Van Buren County Sheriff’s Office conducted an extensive investigation into Beltran after receiving numerous tips about her alleged actions.
The charges, which include eight felony counts and one misdemeanor, were filed in the 7th District Court in Paw Paw.
Beltran is charged with:
• One count of delivery or possession with the intent to deliver less than 50 grams of a controlled substance;
• One count of using a computer to commit a crime;
• One count of extortion;
• One count of embezzlement by a public official over $50 in value;
• One count of misconduct in office;
• One count of larceny in a building;
• One count of possession of less than 25 grams of a controlled substance;
• One count of possession of a controlled substance/analogues;
• One count of possession of a Schedule 5 controlled substance.
“The majority of Michigan law enforcement officers perform their duties with integrity and with the knowledge that they are not above the law,” Nessel said, per a press release. “Members of law enforcement are expected to follow the law and not use their positions for illegal purposes. The Public Integrity Unit of my office is committed to holding accountable officers who misuse the public’s trust and we will continue to investigate and prosecute such cases.”
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